More than 7,000 people are expected to flood downtown Portland Saturday for the annual Pride Parade.After the mass shooting in Florida last week and a foiled attack on the Pride Parade in Los Angeles, Portland officials said security will be tight.Eight days into the 10-day Pride celebration, everything has gone off without a hitch. But eyes are looking ahead to Saturday’s parade where at least 30 officers will meet before the parade to coordinate placement.Signs of pride can be found throughout the city.One hangs above Wild Burritos on Congress Street. The restaurant crew participates in the Pride Parade each year. They’ve been planning and building their float since February.Miguel Collins will be at the event this year, expressing his pride. He said it’s symbolic in a number of ways.“It is a happiness and a feeling that you cannot explain. I've been a lot of places in the world and when you see (the parade) coming down Congress Street and everybody's cheering and their clapping, it lets you know that it doesn't matter what someone's lifestyle is, it's we're all in it together and we're one big family,” Collins said.Police and organizers met about security. They expect about 1,500 people to be a part of the parade with nearly 80 groups participating. Another 3,000-4,000 people will line the streets to watch.Portland’s mayor said security will be heightened as it always is when there are large crowds.“I’m really looking forward to tomorrow’s parade,” Mayor Ethan Strimling said. “I’m going to be right at the front of it, just as proud, and I’m not going to back down one step.”Outside Vena’s Fizz House in Old Port a different flag flies to show support for Orlando.“What happened in Orlando, it was a calamity. What can we learn from it? Love is love is love. We're human beings, we're civil,” Steve Corman said. “It isn’t just showing strength. We’re showing that no one is going to stop us from living our lives and how we want to live.”The parade kicks off at noon.

PORTLAND, Maine —

More than 7,000 people are expected to flood downtown Portland Saturday for the annual Pride Parade.

After the mass shooting in Florida last week and a foiled attack on the Pride Parade in Los Angeles, Portland officials said security will be tight.

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Eight days into the 10-day Pride celebration, everything has gone off without a hitch. But eyes are looking ahead to Saturday’s parade where at least 30 officers will meet before the parade to coordinate placement.

Signs of pride can be found throughout the city.

One hangs above Wild Burritos on Congress Street. The restaurant crew participates in the Pride Parade each year. They’ve been planning and building their float since February.

Miguel Collins will be at the event this year, expressing his pride. He said it’s symbolic in a number of ways.

“It is a happiness and a feeling that you cannot explain. I've been a lot of places in the world and when you see (the parade) coming down Congress Street and everybody's cheering and their clapping, it lets you know that it doesn't matter what someone's lifestyle is, it's we're all in it together and we're one big family,” Collins said.

Police and organizers met about security. They expect about 1,500 people to be a part of the parade with nearly 80 groups participating. Another 3,000-4,000 people will line the streets to watch.

Portland’s mayor said security will be heightened as it always is when there are large crowds.

“I’m really looking forward to tomorrow’s parade,” Mayor Ethan Strimling said. “I’m going to be right at the front of it, just as proud, and I’m not going to back down one step.”

Outside Vena’s Fizz House in Old Port a different flag flies to show support for Orlando.

“What happened in Orlando, it was a calamity. What can we learn from it? Love is love is love. We're human beings, we're civil,” Steve Corman said. “It isn’t just showing strength. We’re showing that no one is going to stop us from living our lives and how we want to live.”